Training Gear dropped

[brashhighlander]

Stunning evening weather wise, so I decide to get the heli out and give it a go without the training gear on. I was a bit unsure as I have only flown four tanks of fuel to date, but I thought what the hell.

What a rush!! I have just flown (read hover) 4 tanks of fuel without the training gear and I am buzzing. I hovered the first two tanks tail in to get used to the heli then the next two tanks I managed side on hovering, nose pointing both ways. It is a completely different heli, much better without the training gear on, so much more responsive and stable.

Well chuffed. Just like to add that I am completely self taught and have never been on a buddy lead. I have to say it is all down to the advice I have received on here and a few hours on the sim (phoenix). So thanks to everyone who has given me advice and tips.

For all you beginners out there get a sim and if you can hover and and land without the training gear in the sim give it a go for real, you will manage.

Jim

P.S I know everyone owns a knight nowadays but I have a Raptor 30V2 and I think it is a magic heli for learning on.

[sidy2001]

Glad you are enjoying yourself brashhighlander it's a great feeling when everything goes well.

[gazza]

Well done bud.

With success comes confidence

I've been trying to talk a lad down the club into taking his training gear off but he's not having it

It's the biggest step for a beginner to make, so well done.

[richieclarkie]

Well done!

Training gear or not what's important is you are not just talking about it you are doing it. I never used training gear and the only time I have flown with it was testing a noobs heli. Horrible it was too!

Keep at it and keep pushing your abilities (sensibly).

Good luck

[Steve]

May I recommend your next step?

Make yourself 5 bits of plywood or mdf or something about 100mm square.

Start by sticking one on the ground about 10 yards in front of you, and try to maintain a hover directly over it - i.e. give yourself something to aim for. It's a bit like golf - a good drive is not not only long, but it has to be accuarte as well.

Then put three pads down in a straight line about 10 yards apart from each other, with the middle one directly in front of you, and the other two to your left and your right. Now start the heli from the middle pad right in front of you, pick it up into a steady hover directly over the pad, an dthen take it over to the left hand pad, and set it down on the ground. Then pick it up again, and bring it back to the centre pad and set it doen again. Then up again and across to the right hand pad and down again, then up again and back to the centre pad and down again....etc etc.

This is all about flying accurately and in a controlled manner to both your left and right sides, which should stop you from becoming handed one way or the other.

When you've got that licked, you can use all 5 pads to start on the hoverring 'M' routine as laid out in the BMFA 'A' certificate. Be sure to do it left to right, and right to left. Again it's all about flying the heli on both your hands, and about accurate cyclic and pitch control.

Do all of the above with the tail always into yourself. Only when you can do all this tail-in should you really start to be trying to hover side-on.

Basically the next step after all of the above is to start doing the same moves all over again, but left side on and right side on, and then ultimately do the same moves all nose-in.

There's a logical approach to it all, which if followed properly will mean that you are happy with the helicopter at all angles, and will therefore not be phased or confused when you later get into circuits and stuff.

But most of all, one step at a time and enjoy.

[brashhighlander]

Thanks folks

Manager, I like the idea of having targets. What your are describing must be similar to the BMFA hovering test.

Gazza, I think it is all about confidence, however I can say it is much easier to fly without the training gear. Altough the first landing was quite scary.

Jim

[Steve]

Yes mate.

I too learnt without a buddy-box, and used the pads for a long time. I still can't do the whole routine nose-in, although I haven't tried for a long time now...... maybe I should have another go at it?

If you can do it all tail-in, your getting close to the A test for sure. Doing the flying bits are easy, it's the hover-control near to the round that's hard.

[Kisana]

We need some pads/markers to aim for in phoenix sim...